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UK Churches and the World Summit on Sustainable Development,
Johannesburg, 2002
Ecumenical Organisations
The Environmental Issues Network (EIN) seeks to act as a co-ordinating point for the environmental work of most of the mainstream UK churches and a number of para-church organisations. It meets two or three times a year to share information and co-ordinate occasional joint initiatives, such as the Climate Change Petition and various joint responses to Government.
For example, In December 1997, Church leaders met the UK Foreign Secretary to tell him their concerns on the environment for the UK Presidency of the European Union, and with a follow up meeting in September 1998 to discuss areas of progress and areas where little had changed.
Environmental work among the UK churches took an exciting step forward with the launch of the UK-wide Eco-Congregation Programme on 19 September 2000. The
Scottish Eco-Congregation Programme was launched in Dunblane Cathedral on 28 March 2001, and regional launches
took place in several parts of England. Over 300 congregations are now using the
programme and over 40 have gone on to receive Eco-Congregation Awards in
recognition of their achievements. Eco-Congregation is being delivered by
different groups in the different nations, on behalf of the Environmental Issues
Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. Eco-Congregation Scotland
is jointly co-ordinated by Margaret Warnock of Keep Scotland Beautiful and Victoria Beale of the Church of Scotland's Society, Religion and Technology Project.
Resource materials and advice are available free to congregations of any
denomination in Britain and Ireland, and the resources are also freely available
on the Eco-Congregation website.
They offer practical advice on how to incorporate a care for God's creation into our church life,
and reduce the negative impact of some of our activities.
Initiatives in Ireland
The CTBI also includes most of the churches in Ireland, where various environmental initiatives are under way. For example, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (the largest Protestant denomination) has an Environmental Panel with representatives in each presbytery. See more on the page for Ireland.
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Church Organisations
Begun in 1970, the SRT Project is a unique venture of the
Church of Scotland, set up to examine the ethical and social implications of technology,
with a full time scientific director. For almost 30 years, it has played a pioneering and influential role in the UK, and the environment has been one of its principal themes throughout that time. Based in Edinburgh it is part of and mostly funded by the Church of Scotland (Scotland's national church, which is Presbyterian), but it is also supported by a number of Scottish churches including the
Scottish Episcopal Church. It runs on an ecumenical basis, working with Action of Churches Together in Scotland. It seeks to provide a resource for the whole UK church. In June 2002, SRT appointed an
Assistant Director who has particular responsibility for environmental issues, including the joint coordination of
Eco-Congregation Scotland. SRT also enjoys links and warm collaboration with sister organisations : MCKS in the Netherlands,
FEST in Germany and the Institut für Sozial Ethik (ISE) in Switzerland, and with many other churches and individuals in the rest of Europe, and further afield to North America and Australasia.
The national church in England and parent church of the worldwide Anglican communion has been involved in environmental issues since the 1970's at national, diocesan and local levels. Claire Foster works for the Archbishop's Council on environemental, scientific and medical issues. The Bishops of several dioceses, like London, Liverpool and Hereford, are taking serious interest in the environment. Many local initiatives are beginning in the dioceses and congregations of the Church of England. The London and Southwark dioceses have prepared materials to help churches evaluate the environmental impact of their life which played an important role in the emerging ecumenical Eco-Congregation Programme of the UK churches.
Martin Goss, the Church of England Social Responsibility Officer in Exeter Diocese, produces short articles on ecological issues which are sent regularly to editors of Christian Magazines and Newsletters in Devon, England under the title "Creation, Community and Church". Each 6 months six items on 'green' topics are circulated for local use, with a special emphasis on community action.
This relatively small reformed Protestant denomination, which unites the former Presbyterian Church, Congregational Church, and Reformed Association of Churches of Christ. Before taking up his national post with Going for Green, David Pickering was its part-time advisor on environmental issues, and preparing practical materials, entitled "Roots and Branches" for use in churches on a range of environmental issues.
The largest of the "free" churches in England and Wales, with a small Scottish presence also, has a distinguished involvement with technological issues. It has an officer whose responsibilities include stimulating environmental concern within the Methodist church, and it currently has a working group on genetic engineering, which has produced a study pack for churches on genetic issues.
The Catholic Church in the UK
The Roman Catholic bishops conference in England and Wales has formed an Environmental Committee, under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of Liverpool. It was launched at a meeting in London in November 1999. Denise Calder is providing a part time support role for the new committee. The Newman Association is a lay organisation concerned with church and society issues, and has active grassroots involvement in environmental issues. A number of leading Catholic theologians are actively engaged on issues of creation and environmental care.
Syndesmos is the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth. It is an international confederation of youth organisations, theological faculties and schools and other Orthodox bodies. In the U.K. Syndesmos has been operating since 1972 and the British membership includes a Registered Charity. The Fellowship has conducted numerous environmental projects and operated programmes in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature and other bodies.
A small group called ‘Earth: Our Creative Responsibility’ is being formed by QSRE to work for three years, starting in July 2000
- To reflect and deepen the awareness of our spiritual connectedness with the Earth and all Creation, among Friends and perhaps other people of faith
- To help Friends to be more conscious and appreciative of the universe’s interconnectedness and diversity and the uniqueness of each of its parts
- To encourage Friends to develop practical action and witness, inspired by this understanding
Its tasks will include publishing material and running gatherings to stimulate debate on particular issues and to celebrate the richness and diversity of Creation; encouraging the formation of locally based groups; and developing Quaker thinking and communicating it to national and international governments/agencies.
For information please contact :
Helen Drewery
Quaker Social Responsibility & Education
Friends House, 173 Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ
Tel: 020 7663 1035 Fax: 020 7663 1049
Email : helend@quaker.org.uk
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Projects Supported by the Churches
Church and Conservation Project
Sacred Land Project (page still to be prepared)
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Recognised Independent Christian Environmental Organisations
In the UK, a considerable proportion of the grassroots environmental work has been done by "para-church" organisations which work within the mainstream churches, formed by Christians with a concern for promoting care for God's creation.
Christian Ecology Link is the oldest and most prominent UK para-church organisation for environmental matters, with members throughout the UK. It is an active member of the Environmental Issues Network of the CTBI. CEL seeks especially to stimulate environmental activity in local churches, and has produced a range of useful resources and information packs. It publishes a quarterly magazine Green Christian.
CEL has also initiated a new Climate Change project called "Operation
Noah"
A Rocha is the name of a unique and pioneering international conservation organisation, with an especial focus on the conservation of bird life and habitats. It was begun in the mid-1980's by a Church of England minister, with a vision to show God's love for all creation by practical example, by teaching and encouragement. From humble beginnings setting up a field study site in the Algarve region of Portugal, this innovative and imaginative organisation has become established as an important focus for Christian conservation work. Other projects are now up and running in many countries across the world. Go to
ECEN's A Rocha Pages
The John Ray Initiative (JRI) is a new scheme in the UK which originated from a number of prominent Christians, professionally involved with the environment who were concerned at the lack of education and relative inactivity on environmental matters in the church. Its vision is to bring together scientific and Christian understandings of the environment in a way that can be widely communicated and lead to effective action. It stems from discussions amongst scientists and Christian leaders and aims to promote a deeper understanding of the environment and how humankind should relate to it based on observation, study and an ethical approach to decision making and stewardship.
The Arthur Rank Centre has for many years been a focus for the UK churches ecumencially in serving the rural community and its churches. Located on the English National Showground at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire, it provides a chaplaincy for the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the National Agricultural Centre. It supports the work of the churches' agricultural chaplains and rural officers. It develops working partnerships with organisations that committed to the improvement of the quality of life in rural communities and the standard of living of those who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or excluded. It engages in research into ethical issues concerning the countryside, especially with regard to agriculture and the environment, promoting appropriate responses in the light of Christian theology.
Sage -
Oxford's Christian Environmental Group
www.sageoxford.org.uk
Sage
is a group of Christians from a number of churches in the Oxford area in the UK
with a particular concern for our Lord's Creation. Since Sage was formed
in 1990 it has been involved in a whole variety of activities. It produces a
regular newsletter (Sage Words) on topics such as recycling,
Christian environmental books and simple living. Sage organises walks including
"Walking with the Creator". It wrote a
set of Bible study notes, and meets regularly to pray. Sage is involved in
conservation tasks, particularly at a local nature reserve, Boundary Brook Nature Park. Members also
give presentations to interested groups and will lead and provide preachers for
services. Sage is open to Christians of all denominations, all ages and all
backgrounds.
Devon Churches Green Action
www.countrysidematters.org.uk/dcga/climate_change.html
Devon Churches Green Action
have produced the report "COOL IT! Climate Change and the Devon Churches"
which introduces the problem of climate change and gives theological insights. Describing in detail the likely impacts on the South West, it lists current initiatives in Devon to mitigate and adapt to climate change, setting out ways that the churches can play their part. To request a copy, telephone
(+44) 01392 278875 or email greenaction@christiancare.freeserve.co.uk
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UK Churches and the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002
Churches across Britain and Ireland were called to prepare for the event with prayer and action. Four Christian environmental organisations (A Rocha UK, Christian Ecology Link, Eco-Congregation and The John Ray Initiative) in association with the Environmental Issues Network (EIN) of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) prepared Briefing Materials for Churches, including a 'Creation Care' prayer for use on Sunday 25th August, the Sunday prior to the summit. Donald Bruce (Church of Scotland) and Denise Calder (Catholic Bishop's Conference in England and Wales) attended the World Summit for the UK churches.
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This page was last updated on 10
November 2004
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